NB In dark countryside in the Northern Hemisphere, they say you can expect around 30 meteors per hour, while those in the Southern Hemisphere may experience an hourly rate as as high as 60.

I may have to plan a trip to somewhere where they have something like a dark sky outside to see this since the 7th will be our 34th Anniversary.

Transit of Mercury — May 9

NB In Classical Astrology, planets are generally believed to be burned up or ‘combust’ by close proximity to the Sun because they can’t be seen in the brightness of the Sun glare and therefore lose their power. This zone of combustion extends to 8 degrees around the Sun except in the case of extreme closeness called ‘Cazimi’ or within 17 minutes of the Sun, which the astrologers believed gave the planet more power because of being right ‘in the heart of the Sun,’ as they are when they are still visible during a transit over the Sun as in the picture.

Celestial Line-up — August 23

NB Mars, Saturn and Antares, the two malefics with the bright star of Scorpio, Yikes

Venus Meets Jupiter — August 27

NB the two benefics together, Ahhh 🙂

Mars and Lagoon — September 28

There is more detail and notes about visibility and where to direct your binoculars at the National Geo site. Enjoy!